The Fiscal Action Unit of the Republican National Guard (GNR) seized approximately 350 kilograms of betel nuts containing the psychoactive substance arecoline in Loures on Monday.
In a statement, GNR disclosed that during an inspection operation, they monitored “a retail economic operator dealing in food products” and found “around 350 kilograms of betel nuts stored and packaged inside.”
It was further explained that “due to its arecoline content, betel nut is classified under the list of new psychoactive substances as per current legislation, specifically within the legal framework established for the prevention and protection against the advertising and trading of new psychoactive substances.”
This framework prohibits “the production, import, export, advertising, distribution, sale, possession, or any form of availability of these substances.”
GNR emphasized that “the operation resulted in the seizure of all goods and the filing of a report for infraction,” with the details forwarded to the Food and Economic Safety Authority (ASAE).
What is arecoline?
Arecoline is an alkaloid found in the betel nut, the fruit of the areca palm. It is traditionally used in some Asian cultures, where the fruit is chewed for its stimulating effects.
